Some parents struggling before school reopens next Monday

Parents preparing for the new school term are complaining that the cost of books and the number of items on school booklists are placing an unbearable financial strain on families, particularly those with multiple children.

Some parents said that they are struggling to purchase even the basic items needed for their children, while others said booklists for a single child can run into tens of thousands of dollars. Coleen, who has one child entering grade five, said she has been unable to complete her daughter’s back to-school shopping. The new academic year is slated to begin on September 7.

“Mi nuh pay fi her uniform yet. Mi only buy the cloth. No shoes, bag, nothing at all because mi nuh have no money,” she said. She added that her daughter’s booklist includes nine books, with some costing about $3,500 each.